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Sir Luminar makes dash for Millions

Stephen Rodgers

SIR LUMINAR has rocketed into Magic Millions contention after he smashed the race record at his first start in the Phelan Ready Stakes.

Jockey Chris Munce and trainer Michael Nolan were in raptures after Sir Luminar clocked a brilliant 57.14 seconds, the fastest time for a two-year-old recorded in a 1000m race at Eagle Farm this season.

His time took half a second off the previous race record set by Jantzen three years ago. ''We knew he was pretty good but we weren't totally sure because there were some nice horses in this race,'' Nolan said.

Sir Luminar's imposing build was a talking point before the field left the enclosure. ''He's big but he's well balanced and strong and I'm just happy that I bought him,'' Nolan said.

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Sir Luminar is safely qualified for the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12 after collecting $64,000 first prizemoney. ''He's done a bit of work getting to this race and I'll see how he pulls up before I decide if he has one more run [before the Magic Millions],'' Nolan said.

Munce said Sir Luminar did everything right despite his lack of race experience and was excited about his future. ''I'm excited more for what I think he'll do as a three-year-old more than what he's done today,'' he said. ''He's a very big horse but also very powerful. He's got all the good attributes.''

Munce is waiting to hear from his doctor when his treatment for throat cancer will begin. He said his treatment would take priority over any racing commitments but he will continue to ride in the meantime.

Missy Longstocking ran 0.55 seconds slower than Sir Luminar when she won the Calaway Gal Stakes but was rated only ''85 per cent fit'' by jockey Damian Browne.

''With the Magic Millions still a month away she raced a bit fresh today but I thought she put the race beyond doubt at the 300m,'' Browne said. ''The last 100m she struggled and her class just got her there but she'll improve a lot with that run.''

Stable foreman Brad Berwick, standing in for trainer Liam Birchley who was at Rosehill, said Missy Longstocking would have one more start before the Magic Millions in the B.J. McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on December 29. ''Her grand final is a month away so she's not fully wound up,'' Berwick said.